LDV Convoy road test reports and car reviews

LDV Convoy LWB high roof 2002

Hi all, I bought a brand new 2007 transit that suffered over 50 breakdowns in 2 years [11,347 miles] and is now dead!! So I bought an LDV convoy 2002 3,5ton to replace it and I have to say what a great van. My mate serviced it and it cost £20 for genuine air, oil and fuel filters. I have beefed up all the doors with extra chubb locks, fitted a tracker and a 5,000watt inverter. The LDV is not a racing van but is happy to plod along in the pace of todays drivers. I would recommend an LDV to anyone as mine does over 350 miles to a tank of diesel. The transit was a woefull 24MPG. I would buy a new LDV today!

LDV Convoy 2.8 low roof 2000

Bought the van in June 07 for a little over £1000, so a great deal cheaper than other makes. This has the Transit running gear which has always worked fine and never let me down yet. On buying the van I let my local garage replace the cam belt, flush out the rad, service, pads etc. The starter motor packed up in France in October 07 (bump start at the port); this was replaced on return with a Ford one (not the Korean one that LDV use). It is now just under 2 years old with MOT next week the paintwork/body are starting to look a little worn/rust spots but as its a builders van it does have a hard life. It has taken me and my tools to my house in Brittany many times fully loaded and still does 70 -75 on the motorway with tow bar fitted (bought for £60 on eBay, brand new) - tows fine as said before. It is a little dated but at least you can still work on it without the need for a laptop. I can say that I am pretty happy with the van but have been thinking of changing for the Maxus but will wait to see if LDV survive their current cash crisis (or us!)

LDV Convoy Convoy 2003

I have quiet a few Convoy minibuses; the early ones (1996) run the Peugeot engine. I have one with 200k on it, still going great but maybe a little tired. A bit later, in 1998, they run the Ford DI; a great engine and coupled to the MT75 gearbox, simple and reliable. In 2001 the Ford Dura engine has a few faults but the same drivetrain as a transit for little money. Unlike some people I have not hired one of these for a day - I have worked and used them for 12 years. My opinion is that it is a good twin wheel reliable workhorse with no frills but do the work you bought them for if maintained. MY OPINION IF LDV HAD CONTINUED MAKING THEM ALONGSIDE THE MAXUS (YUK) THEY WOULD NOT BE IN THE TROUBLE THEY ARE NOW . I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT MORE AND SO WOULD HAVE MANY PEOPLE I KNOW WITHIN THE BUS INDUSTRY, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Responses to this review

Hi, I also have an LDV Convoy mini bus for a school contract. I am thinking of buying a younger minibus, what do you think of the LDV Maxus? - Eliz Ramsay from Dumfriesshire

LDV Convoy Convoy LWB Hi-top 2002

Having made a last-minute ebay purchase on EBAY i was left requiring a van to move some large furniture from the New Forest up to Bath. A local hire company soon furnished me with a van, which turned out to be a 5 year old LDV convoy. Getting into the convoy is like climbing into a tardis in two ways. firstly, the cab is extremely spacious - due to the convoy’s large width compared to similar vans. Secondly you travel back in time to the 1970s when you settle into the basic interior. The controls, all large simple buttons, and the basic dashboard with very few dials and lights, are like something from another era. On starting the engine all those features which would be quite useful to remain still, such as the (manually adjusted) wingmirrors and gearstick, begin to vibrate. On depressing the accelerator the engine emits a roar which sounds like its in severe need of a packet of soothers. However, this does transmit to good power on the road, and, even unladen, the convoy holds the road as if its stuck there with glue. Acceleration when empty was good, and the convoy coped with all the hills i threw at it. The (loosely fitted) plywood bulkhead didnt fill me with confidence when the back was full of furniture, especially as there seemed to be little to tie it to! However, the chances of stuff moving around when breaking with the convoy’s pathetic brakes were fairly low! All in all an uninspiring vehicle to drive, but an experience for anyone who wants to make their own car or van seem like a luxury model!